Folding stroller including locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A folding chair includes handle frames, and front legs and rear legs configured to support the chair in an upright position. The front legs are pivotally attached to respective rear legs. A chair portion, includes a back rest, a seat, and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat. Pivot frames are pivotally attached to respective handle frames, the back rest, and the rear legs. Sliders are pivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respective arm rests, and the seat, and are configured to slide along the front legs.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments of this invention relate to folding strollerswhich, when in a folded state, occupy a small volume of space and allowfor easy transport and storage.

Related art folding strollers have been developed to increaseportability by reducing a volume of space occupied by the stroller whenin its folded state. Reducing the volume of space occupied by thestroller in a folded state allows the stroller to be more easily handledby a user, decreases the amount of space required for storage when notin use and allows for easy transportability by allowing the foldedstroller to be easily placed in the trunk of a car, for example. Reducedvolume also decreases shipping costs, which is helpful in an era whenmanufacturing facilities are located globally and individuals utilizethe internet to purchase goods.

Related art folding strollers may have a problem that the length of thestroller in its folded state is the same or even greater than when inits unfolded state.

A related art stroller, known popularly as the MacLaren stroller anddisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,021 includes upper and lower X-shapedframe members which allow substantially identical side and leg membersto be collapsed to reduce the stroller's width. However, when in afolded state, the length of the stroller increases when the front wheelassembly is pivoted in a direction away from the rear wheels. Also,because the handle portion is pivoted towards the front wheels andextends past the front wheels, the length is extended even more. Thisincreased length in the folded state makes it difficult to store,handle, and transport the stroller. Additionally, the overall cost ofthe product may be increased due to increased shipping costs.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of this invention may include apparatus andmethods that provide a stroller with enhanced portability, that occupiesa small volume of space when in a folded state and that is easilyhandled by a user.

A stroller according to an exemplary embodiment includes two front legsand two rear legs that support the stroller in an upright position, twohandle frames, and two first upper sliders that slide along respectivehandle frames. An upper X frame includes two upper frame members thatare pivotally connected to each other at respective intermediateportions. Each upper frame member is pivotally connected to respectivefirst upper sliders and to respective rear legs. Two second lowersliders slide along respective front legs. A lower X frame memberincludes two lower frame members pivotally connected to each other atrespective intermediate portions. Each lower frame member is pivotallyconnected to respective second lower sliders and attached to respectiverear legs. Two pivot frames are linked to respective second sliders andpivotally attached to respective rear legs. A pair of wheels arerotationally attached to the front legs, and a pair of wheels arerotationally attached to the rear legs.

A stroller according to an exemplary embodiment includes lower framemembers with engaging portions that engage a respective rear leg toreduce the likelihood or prevent the stroller from folding and toprovide lateral rigidity.

A stroller according to an exemplary embodiment includes two backframes, two lateral portions rotationally attached to respective backframes and to respective lower legs, and a seat portion supported by theback frames and the lateral portions.

An exemplary embodiment includes a stroller including two handle frames,two front legs and two rear legs that support the stroller in an uprightposition. Front legs are pivotally attached to respective rear legs. Achair portion, includes a back rest, a seat, and a leg rest pivotallyattached to the seat. Two pivot frames are pivotally attached torespective handle frames. The back rest and the rear legs, two arm restsand two sliders are pivotally attached to respective pivot frames. Theback rest, respective arm rests, and the seat slide along the respectivefront legs. Wheels are rotationally attached to the front legs and therear legs.

An exemplary embodiment includes a stroller including a pre-loadmechanism with a suspension pivotally attached to at least one of thefront and rear legs and supporting an axle of a wheel. A resilientmember, such as a spring, is attached at one end of the suspension, anda cam is attached to another end of the resilient member and pivots tocompress the resilient member.

An exemplary embodiment includes a lock release mechanism configured toretain the stroller in a rigid unfolded state when locked and allow thestroller to be collapsed when released. The lock release mechanism mayinclude a two step release mechanism.

An exemplary embodiment includes a stroller including arm rests with anattachment portion to allow an item to be attached to the arm rests. Theattachment portion may include for example, one of a slot or tab and anitem to be attached may include the other of a slot or a tab. The itemto be attached may be a cup holder, a tray and/or a toy or any othersuitable item.

An exemplary embodiment includes a pivot lock pivotally connected to ahandle portion and a pivot lock lip, and a lip portion that engages withthe pivot lock lip to maintain the stroller in a folded state. The pivotlock may be a tray including a tray portion and arm portions and the lipportion may be located on a foot rest.

An exemplary embodiment includes a seat belt tensioner for a seat belt,wherein a back rest includes through-holes through which a seat belt ispassed. The belt is retained by a locking portion at one end and anotherend of the seat belt is attached to an underside of the seat. When thefolding chair is in a folded state, the locking portion is pulled towardthe back rest.

An exemplary embodiment includes a back rest with an adjustable inclineso that when the folding chair is folded and unfolded the back rest isretained at its adjusted incline.

An exemplary embodiment includes a method of folding a strollerincluding two front legs and two rear legs that support the stroller inan upright position, two handle frames, and two first upper sliders thatslide along respective handle frames, an upper X frame including twoupper frame members pivotally connected to each other at respectiveintermediate portions, each upper frame member pivotally connected torespective first upper sliders and to respective rear legs, two secondlower sliders that slide along respective front legs, a lower X framemember including two lower frame members pivotally connected to eachother at respective intermediate portions, each lower frame memberpivotally connected to respective second lower sliders and attached torespective rear legs, and two pivot frames linked to respective secondsliders and pivotally attached to respective rear legs. The methodincludes detaching the two lower frame members from respective rearlegs. A top portion of the handle frames is pivoted toward the front ofthe stroller. First upper sliders slide upward along respective handleframes and second lower sliders slide downward along respective frontlegs so that handle frames, front legs and rear legs becomesubstantially parallel. The upper frame member and the lower framemembers are collapsed about the respective intermediate pivot points sothat the two handle frames move toward each other, the two front legsmove toward each other and the two rear legs move toward each other.

Exemplary aspects of the invention provide a method of folding astroller including two handle frames, two front legs and two rear legsconfigured to support the stroller in an upright position, the frontlegs pivotally attached to respective rear legs, a chair portion,including a back rest, a seat and a leg rest pivotally attached to theseat, two pivot frames pivotally attached to respective handle frames,the back rest and the rear legs, two arm rests, and two sliderspivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respectivearm rests and the seat and the two sliders are configured to slide alongthe respective front legs. The method includes pivoting a top portion ofthe handle frames toward a front of the chair. The handle frames arepivoted toward the front of the chair. The sliders slide downward alongthe leg. The rear legs are pivoted toward the front legs. The backrestis pivoted toward the front of the chair and the leg rests toward a rearof the chair. The handle frames, the slider, the front and rear legs,the backrest and the leg rest become substantially parallel in theirlength directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, withreference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the first exemplary embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 1 when beginning to be placed in a folded state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the first exemplary embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 1 in a folded state;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the first exemplary embodiment ofthe stroller of FIG. 1 in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the first exemplary embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 1 in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a second exemplary embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the second exemplary embodiment ofthe stroller of FIG. 6 when beginning to be placed in a folded state;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the second exemplary embodiment ofthe stroller of FIG. 6 in a partially folded state;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a second exemplary embodiment of thestroller of FIG. 6 in a completely folded state;

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the second exemplary embodiment ofthe stroller of FIG. 6 in an unfolded state;

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of the second exemplary embodiment ofthe stroller of FIG. 6 when beginning to be placed in a folded state;

FIG. 12 is a schematic detail of an arm rest according to an exemplaryembodiment including an attachment portion;

FIG. 13 is a schematic of a pivot lock according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematics of an arm rest including an abutmentportion according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematics of a pre-load mechanism according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a rigid memory back according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 17 is schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a strollerin a completely unfolded state;

FIG. 17A is a view of a portion of the stroller of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a view of a portion of the stroller of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a portion of the stroller of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a portion of the stroller of FIG. 17 in aslightly folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state. For purposes of clarity to showthe elements of the stroller, the sling seat portion of the stroller isnot shown in FIGS. 1-4. It should be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill that in the following description some components of the strollerare provided in pairs and are identically situated on each side of thestroller. One of ordinary skill should appreciate that although thefigures and following description are directed to a stroller thefeatures of the example embodiments may be utilized in any foldingchair.

Stroller 1 includes a handle portion 6 located at an end of a handleframe 9. At an end of handle frame 9 opposite from the handle 6, pivotframe 18 is rigidly attached. A portion of handle frame 9 protrudes pastpivot frame 18 and is pivotally connected to an end of rear leg 14. Anend of rear leg 14, opposite to the end pivotally connected to handleframe 9 has rear wheels 3 rotationally attached. An intermediate portionof rear leg 14 is pivotally attached to one end of front leg 12. An endof front leg 12, opposite to the end pivotally attached to rear leg 14has front wheels 2 rotationally attached.

Stroller 1 includes sliders 16A, 16B. Slider 16A is slidably attached tohandle frame 9. According to an example embodiment, slider 16A has acylindrical opening through which handle frame 9 is inserted so as to besurrounded by slider 16A. One of ordinary skill would readily appreciatethat slider 16A may be configured in any suitable manner to slide ormove relative to handle frame 9. In a non-limiting example, handle frame9 may be configured with a groove while slider 16A is configured with aslot or pin that slides within the groove of handle frame 9.

Slider 16A is pivotally attached to one end of frame members 50A, 50B ofupper X frame 50. Frame members 50A and 50B are pivotally attached toeach other at an intermediate connection point to form a substantially Xshaped frame when the stroller is in a completely unfolded state. Theend of each frame member 50A, 50B, opposite to the end pivotallyattached to respective slider 16A, is pivotally attached to anintermediate portion of respective rear leg 14.

Slider 16B is slidably attached to front leg 12. According to an exampleembodiment, slider 16B has a cylindrical opening through which front leg12 is inserted so as to be surrounded by slider 16B. As discussed withreference to slider 16A above, one of ordinary skill would readilyappreciate that slider 16B may be configured in any suitable manner toslide or move relative to front leg 12.

Slider 16B is pivotally connected to one end of side frame 8. An end ofside frame 8, opposite to the end connected to slider 16B, is pivotallyattached to pivot frame 18. Sling seat (not shown) may be attached to aslider 16A. An intermediate portion of side frame 8 is pivotallyconnected to lateral portion 19. Lateral portion 19 provides support fora seat portion of a seat disposed on stroller 1. Slider 16B is pivotallyconnected to one end of frame members 52A, 52B of lower X frame member.Frame members 52A and 52B are pivotally attached to each other at anintermediate connecting portion to form a substantially X shape when ina completely unfolded state. The end of each frame member 52A, 52Bopposite to the end pivotally connected to slider 16B is attached to anintermediate portion of rear leg 14, by leg support 54. In anon-limiting example, leg support 54 has grooves which in the completelyunfolded state of stroller 1 retain rear leg 14. One of ordinary skillwould readily appreciate the leg support 54 may have multipleconfigurations so long as leg support 54 may be attached to rear leg 14to maintain stroller 1 in a rigid state and to prevent the stroller frominadvertently moving to a folded state.

An operation to fold stroller 1 will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. Handle frame 9 is pivoted in a direction as shown byarrow D. By pivoting handle frame 9, pivot frame 18 rotates at its pivotpoint in a direction as shown by arrow E. Through its connection topivot frame 18, rear leg 14 pivots in a direction toward front wheels 2,as shown by arrow C. As rear legs 14 pivot, leg support 54 is allowed todisengage from rear legs 14. Leg support 54, when engaged with rear legs14 prevents frame members 52A, 52B from being collapsed toward eachother. When leg support 54 is disengaged from rear leg 14, frame members52A, 52B may be collapsed toward each other around their intermediateconnection point so that they move toward being substantially parallel.As frame members 52A and 52B collapse toward each other, the first andsecond halves of the stroller move toward each other to narrow the widthof the stroller.

As handle frame 9 is pivoted in a direction shown by arrow D, slider 16Atravels toward handle 6. Frame members 50A and 50B, pivotally attachedto slider 16A, collapse toward each other around their intermediateconnection point so they move toward being substantially parallel. Aspivot frame 18 pivots, slider 16B is pushed along front legs 12 towardfront wheels 2, through side frame 8 as shown by arrow B. As slider 16Bmoves toward front wheels 2, frame members 52A and 52B are collapsedtoward each other through their respective pivotal connection to slider16B.

In a completely folded state, as shown in FIG. 3, rear wheels 3 movetowards the front wheels 2 and are not located on opposites sides of thelength of the stroller as in the related art described above. Framemembers 50A, 50B are collapsed toward each other to reduce the width ofthe stroller 1. Front leg 12, rear leg 14, handle frame 9, side frame 8,and lateral portion 19 become substantially parallel to provide a foldedstroller 1 which occupies a small volume of space in a length as well asin a width direction.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a second example embodiment of astroller in a completely unfolded state. Stroller 2 includes a handleportion 106 located at an end of handle frame 109. As shown in FIG. 13,pivot lock 120 is pivotally attached to handle portion 106. According toan example embodiment, when stroller 2 is in the unfolded state, pivotlock 120 hangs with tray 121 in a substantially horizontal state. Tray121 may be provided in the form of a storage place such as a cup holder.Pivot lock 120 includes pivot lock lip 146. When stroller 2 is placed ina completely folded state, the pivot lock 120 is pivoted so that thepivot lock lip 146 engages with a corresponding lip 144 located on alower lateral portion of foot rest 104. By engaging pivot lock lip 146with lip 144, the stroller 2 may be prevented from becoming unfolded.

At an end of the handle frame 109 opposite from the handle 106, pivotframe 118 is rigidly attached. Rear leg 114 is pivotally attached topivot frame 118 at one end. At an opposite end of rear leg 114 rearwheels 103 are rotationally attached. Back rest 108 is pivotallyattached to front leg 112. Slider 116 is pivotally attached to pivotframe 118. An intermediate portion of slider 116 is pivotally attachedto seat 107. An end of the slider 116 that is opposite to the endpivotally attached to the pivot frame 118 is slidably attached to frontleg 112. According to an example embodiment, slider 116 has acylindrical opening which surrounds front leg 112 and slides over frontleg 112. However, one of ordinary skill would appreciate that slider 116may have multiple configurations to slide relative to front leg 112.

Seat 107 includes two parallel lateral portions 119. One end of lateralportion 119 is pivotally attached to leg rest 105. An intermediateportion of lateral portion 119 is pivotally connected to an intermediateportion of slider 116. An end of lateral portion 119 opposite to the endattached to leg rest 105 is pivotally attached to an intermediateportion of rear leg 114. An optional basket 110 can be removablyattached to the lateral portions 119.

Front leg 112 is attached at one end to foot rest 104 and at an oppositeend to rear leg 114 at an end of rear leg 114 that is opposite to theend that rear wheel 103 is attached to. The front wheels 102 may berotationally attached to front leg 112.

An operation to fold stroller 2 will be described with reference toFIGS. 7-9. As shown in FIG. 9, lock release 124 is located to becentered on the handle portion 106. Lock release 124 includes a two steprelease mechanism. The first step, for example, a push button, allowsthe second step, for example, two spring loaded squeeze buttons, to beurged toward each other to release latch 122. When latch 122 is releasedstroller 2 is able to be folded. It should be noted that a releasemechanism is required under common safety standards. When latch 122 isin a latched position the stroller may maintain rigidity when in anunfolded state and accidental folding of the stroller when in use may beprevented.

Once the latch 122 has been released from a latched position, thestroller 2 may be folded. Handle frame 109 is pivoted toward the frontof the stroller in a direction shown by arrow F in FIG. 7. Handle frame109 is rigidly connected to pivot frame 118. Thus, pivot frame 118 willalso pivot forward as a result of handle frame 109 being pivoted forwardas shown by arrow H. As pivot frame 118 is pivoted forward, slider 116is urged forward through its pivotal connection to pivot frame 118. Asshown by arrow I, slider 116 will slide forward along front leg 112.Slider 116 is pivotally connected at an intermediate portion to lateralportion 119, which in turn is pivotally connected to rear leg 114. Asslider 116 slides forward along front leg 112, rear leg 114 is pulledforward, as shown by arrow J, via lateral portion 119. Back rest 118,which is pivotally connected to front leg 112 also pivots forward. Legrest 105 is pivotally connected to wire link 160. Wire link 160 ispivotally attached to front leg 112.

As handle frame 109 continues to pivot forward, the slider 116 slidesalong the remaining length of front leg 112. As shown in FIG. 9, in afolded position, handle frame 109, slider 116, front leg 112, lateralportion 119 and rear leg 114 are substantially parallel to each otheralong a length portion of each resulting in a folded chair that occupiesa small volume of space, and is easy to handle, transport, and store.

As shown in FIG. 13 when stroller 2 is in a folded state, pivot lock 120is pivoted around handle 106 so that pivot lock lip 146 engages with lip144 located on foot rest 104. As discussed above this prevents thestroller 2 from becoming unfolded.

As shown in FIG. 6, arm rest 111 is pivotally attached to slider 116 atone end. As slider 116 slides forward along front leg 112, arm rest 111pivots toward slider 116. In a folded state arm rest 111 issubstantially parallel with slider 116 along the length portion of each.At an end of arm rest 111 opposite the end pivotally attached to theslider, there may be provided an arm rest accessory 140 which may bedetachable from arm rest 111. The accessory may be attached to the armrest 111 in any suitable manner. In an example embodiment shown in FIG.12, arm rest 111 is provided with a slot 142 through which arm restaccessory 140, shown as a cup holder in FIG. 12 is attached. One ofordinary skill would recognize that arm rest accessory 140 may beconfigured in any suitable manner, such as for example, a tray providedwith slots for each arm rest 111. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, armrest 111 may include an abutment portion 115 which abuts against pivotframe 118 or in another example embodiment against handle frame 9.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a pre-load mechanism 180 may be providedto adjust the ride characteristics of the stroller depending upon theweight of the object or person placed upon the stroller or a desiredcomfort level. Pre-load mechanism 180 includes a casing 181 with ahollow interior. Resilient member 182 is mounted to be compressiblewithin the casing 181 via cam 183 which includes an abutment surface 184which abuts one end of resilient member 182. Cam 183 has a pivot handle187 which is used to pivot cam 183 to compress or decompress resilientmember 182. An end of resilient member 182, opposite the end that abutsabutment surface 184 of cam 183 is fixed to an intermediate portion ofsuspension 185. Suspension 185 is pivotally attached at substantiallyone end to rear leg 114 and at an opposite end to rear axle 186 whichsupports rear wheels 103.

An operation of the pre-load mechanism 180 will now be described. In anunloaded state, resilient member 182 is not compressed by action of cam183. Forces operating on rear wheels 103 are transmitted via axle 186 tosuspension 185 which pivots about its pivotal connection with rear leg114. Resilient member 182 applies a load to suspension 185 which absorbsthe forces operating on rear wheels 103 so they are not transmitted toan occupant of the stroller 2 to cause an uncomfortable ride. As anoccupant of stroller 2 becomes heavier, resilient member 182 in itsuncompressed state may be inadequate to absorb the forces acting on rearwheels 103. By lifting handle 187, cam 183 pivots and abutment portion184 compresses resilient member 182. In a compressed state, resilientmember 182 may absorb forces acting on rear wheels 103 for a heavierload.

As shown in FIG. 6, seat 107, backrest 108, and leg rest 105 togetherprovide the seat portion for an occupant of the stroller. Leg rest 105is pivotally attached to seat 107. Backrest 108 is pivotally attached tofront leg 112. Thus, the sitting position is configured in separatesections which may be foldable relative to each other.

Backrest 108 includes through-holes 136, as shown in FIG. 11. Becauseseat 107, backrest 108 and leg rest 105 are configured in separatesections, gaps 134 are formed between each section. Belt 130 is providedto retain an occupant of stroller 2 for safety purposes. As shown inFIG. 10, belt 130 includes belt lock 132 to fix the belt to retain anoccupant. Belt 130 passes to a rear side of backrest 108 viathrough-holes 136 and then is passed under the backrest 108 and fixed toan underside of seat 107. As the stroller 2 is moved to a folded state,belt 130 is pulled taught by a movement of seat 107. Belt 130 is pulledfrom the rear of through-holes 136. Belt 130 is prevented fromcompletely passing through through-holes 136 by belt lock 132, which ismade larger than the through-holes 136. In a folded state, belt lock 132is held against backrest 108 and prevented from falling between gaps134. If belt lock 132 falls into gaps 134 it could become damaged due tocompression between the folded portions of the stroller.

As shown in FIG. 16, backrest 108 includes a rigid memory back featurewhich provides backrest 108 with a set incline in an unfolded state,that after the stroller is folded and unfolded, maintains the backrestin the previously set incline. Backrest 108 includes a recline pivot bar90 which supports backrest 108 from the rear. Recline pivot bar 90passes through flanges 91A, 91B located to protrude rearwardly frombackrest 108. Flanges 91A, 91B are provided with through-holes whichinclude adjustment grooves 92. Recline pivot bar 90 is biased via aresilient member to engage with grooves 92 to provide recline positionsfor backrest 108. Recline pivot bar 90 passes through flanges 91A, 91Band is pivotally attached to an end of link 93. Another end of link 93,opposite to the end attached to recline pivot bar 90 is pivotallyattached to an intermediate portion of slider 116. As pivot frame 118pivots and slider 116 moves along front leg 112, backrest 108 pivotswhile recline pivot bar 90 remains in engagement with a selectedadjustment groove 92. In a folded state, recline pivot bar 90 remainsengaged with the selected adjustment groove 92. When stroller 2 isreturned to an unfolded state recline pivot bar 90 is still engaged withthe selected adjustment groove 92 to provide the rigid memory backfeature.

Another exemplary embodiment of a stroller is shown in FIG. 17. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 17 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-5. Therefore, duplicative descriptions will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 17 and as shown in greater detail in FIG. 17A, astroller 200 includes a handle 206 located at an end of a handle frame209. A lock release button 262 is positioned on the handle 206. The lockrelease button 262 can have a button cover 264 positioned to prevent thelock release button 262 from being accidentally pressed. The buttoncover 264 can be rotated in the direction of arrow K in order to accessthe lock release button 262. As shown in FIG. 18, the button cover 264can include a cover member 266 that is attached to the handle 206 with arivet 268. Additionally, a spring 270 can bias the cover member 266 to aposition covering the lock release button 262 to prevent the lockrelease button 262 from being accidentally pressed.

As shown in FIG. 19, the lock release button 262 is positioned on an endof a locking rod 300. The locking rod 300 is located within the handleframe 209. The locking rod 300 is movably positioned within the handleframe 209 via rivets 302. The rivets 302 pass through holes 304 in thelocking rod 300. The holes 304 in the locking rod 300 are bigger than adiameter of the rivets 302 such that the locking rod 300 can travel alimited distance within the handle frame 209. A compression spring 306positioned at an end of the handle frame 209 opposite to the lockrelease button 262 provides a biasing force to the locking rod 300 suchthat the lock release button 262 returns to an extended state when thelock release button 262 is not being pressed. Additionally, a foldingprevention pin 308 is attached to the locking rod 300 and extendsoutside of the handle frame 209.

As shown in FIG. 17A, a pivot frame 218 is rigidly attached at an end ofthe handle frame 209 opposite from the handle 206. In an unfoldedposition, the pivot frame 218 abuts against a housing member 272 rigidlyconnected to an end of a side frame 208. The housing member 272 includesa raised portion 274 which surrounds the folding prevention pin 308 whenthe stroller 200 is in the unfolded position such that the foldingprevention pin 308 will contact the raised portion 274 if force isapplied to the handle 206 or handle frame 209. Thus, the raised portion274 prevents the folding prevention pin 308 from moving in the foldingdirection and keeps the stroller 200 from being folded without the lockrelease button 262 being pressed. As a result, accidental folding of thestroller 200 can be prevented.

A process of unlocking of the stroller 200 in order to fold the stroller200 will now be described.

In order to fold the stroller 200, the lock release button 262 must bepressed. To access the lock release button 262, the button cover 264 isrotated in the direction of arrow K to allow access to the lock releasebutton 262. Then, the lock release button 262 is pressed, pushing thelocking rod 300 downward and compressing the compression spring 306.When the locking rod 300 is pushed downward, the folding prevention pin308 translates downward through an opening of the raised portion 274 ofthe housing member 272. Thus, the folding prevention pin 308 is nolonger surrounded by the raised portion 274 of the housing member 272.

Next, while the folding prevention pin 308 is no longer surrounded bythe raised portion 274, the handle frame 209 is pivoted in a directionas shown by arrow D in FIG. 17. By pivoting the handle frame 209, thepivot frame 218 rotates at its pivot point in a direction as shown byarrow E in FIG. 20. Thus, the pivot frame 218 is separated from thehousing member 272. Once the pivot frame 218 is separated from thehousing member 272, the lock release button 262 can be released. Whenthe lock release button 262 is released, the biasing force from thecompression spring 306 will cause the locking rod 300, the foldingprevention pin 308, and the lock release button 262 to return to theiroriginal positions. However, because the pivot frame 218 was separatedfrom the housing member 272, the folding prevention pin 308 will not berestricted by the raised portion 274 of the housing member 272, and thestroller 200 can continue to be folded.

The remaining steps for folding the stroller 200 are similar to thosedescribed with respect to FIGS. 1-5. Thus, the duplicative descriptionwill be omitted.

As can be seen in FIG. 17, the stroller 200 may include at least onerearward-facing cup holder 310. Additionally, as described above,alternative accessories could be attached to the stroller 200 in placeof the cup holder 310. Further, a basket 320 can be removably attachedto the stroller 200.

FIG. 17 shows a lock release button 262 on each of the handles 206.However, in an alternative embodiment, only one lock release button 262may be provided. Additionally, while FIG. 17 shows two handle frames209, the lock release button 262, and the accompanying locking mechanismcould be provided with a handle 106 similar to that described withrespect to FIG. 6.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with exemplaryembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of this invention, as setforth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A folding chair, comprising: two front legs and two rear legsconfigured to support the chair in an upright position; two handleframes; a lock mechanism configured to prevent the folding chair fromfolding, the lock mechanism attached to at least one of the two handleframes; two first upper sliders configured to slide along respectivehandle frames; an upper X frame including two upper frame memberspivotally connected to each other at respective intermediate portions,each upper frame member pivotally connected to respective first uppersliders and to respective rear legs; two second lower sliders attachedto respective side frames and configured to slide along respective frontlegs; a lower X frame member including two lower frame members pivotallyconnected to each other at respective intermediate portions, each lowerframe member pivotally connected to respective second lower sliders andattached to respective rear legs; and two pivot frames linked torespective second sliders and pivotally attached to respective rearlegs.
 2. The folding chair according to claim 1, further comprising: alock release button positioned within a first handle frame.
 3. Thefolding chair according to claim 2, further comprising: a button coverpositioned over the lock release button and configured to be rotated toprovide access to the lock release button.
 4. The folding chairaccording to claim 2, further comprising: a locking rod located withinthe first handle frame and attached to the lock release button.
 5. Thefolding chair according to claim 4, further comprising: a foldingprevention pin attached to the locking rod; and a housing memberattached to the side frame, wherein, in the upright position, thefolding prevention pin is located within the housing member.
 6. Thefolding chair according to claim 1, further comprising: a lock releasebutton attached to a locking rod located with the first handle frame; afolding prevention pin attached to the locking rod; and a housing memberattached to the side frame and configured to house the foldingprevention pin, wherein, when the lock release button is pressed, thefolding prevention pin is removed from the housing member.
 7. Thefolding chair according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one cupholder attached to one of the two rear legs.
 8. The folding chairaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a basket attached to the lowerX frame member.
 9. A method of folding a chair including two front legsand two rear legs configured to support the chair in an uprightposition, two handle frames, a lock mechanism, two first upper slidersconfigured to slide along respective handle frames, an upper X frameincluding two upper frame members pivotally connected to each other atrespective intermediate portions, each upper frame member pivotallyconnected to respective first upper sliders and to respective rear legs,two second lower sliders attached to respective side frames andconfigured to slide along respective front legs, a lower X frame memberincluding two lower frame members pivotally connected to each other atrespective intermediate portions, each lower frame member pivotallyconnected to respective second lower sliders and attached to respectiverear legs, and two pivot frames linked to respective second sliders andpivotally attached to respective rear legs, the method comprising:releasing the lock mechanism; detaching the two lower frame members fromrespective rear legs; pivoting a top portion of handle frames toward afront of the chair; sliding first upper sliders upward along respectivehandle frames and sliding second lower sliders downward along respectivefront legs so that handle frames, front legs, and rear legs becomesubstantially parallel in their length directions; and collapsing theupper frame member and the lower frame members about their respectiveintermediate pivot points so that the two handle frames move toward eachother, the two front legs move toward each other and the two rear legsmove toward each other.
 10. The method of folding a chair according toclaim 9, wherein the releasing the lock mechanism includes rotating abutton cover located on one of the two handle frames to access a lockrelease button; and pressing the lock release button attached to alocking rod located within the first handle frame such that a foldingprevention pin attached to the locking rod is removed from a housingmember attached to the side frame.
 11. A folding chair, comprising: twohandle frames; a lock mechanism configured to prevent the folding chairfrom folding, the lock mechanism attached to at least one of the twohandle frames; two front legs and two rear legs configured to supportthe chair in an upright position, the front legs pivotally attached torespective rear legs; a chair portion, including a back rest, a seat,and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat; two pivot framespivotally attached to the back rest and the rear legs and rigidlyattached to respective handle frames; two arm rests; and two sliderspivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respectivearm rests and the seat and configured to slide along the respectivefront legs.
 12. The folding chair according to claim 11, furthercomprising: a lock release button positioned within a first handleframe.
 13. The folding chair according to claim 12, further comprising:a button cover positioned over the lock release button and configured tobe rotated to provide access to the lock release button.
 14. The foldingchair according to claim 12, further comprising: a locking rod locatedwithin the first handle frame and attached to the lock release button.15. The folding chair according to claim 13, further comprising: afolding prevention pin attached to the locking rod; and a housing memberattached to the slider, wherein, in the upright position, the foldingprevention pin is located within the housing member.
 16. The foldingchair according to claim 11, further comprising: a lock release buttonattached to a locking rod located within the first handle frame; afolding prevention pin attached to the locking rod; and a housing memberattached to the slider and configured to house the folding preventionpin, wherein, when the lock release button is pressed, the foldingprevention pin is removed from the housing member.
 17. The folding chairaccording to claim 11, further comprising: at least one cup holderattached to one of the two rear legs.
 18. The folding chair according toclaim 11, further comprising: a basket attached to the two rear legs.19. A method of folding a chair including two handle frames, a lockmechanism, two front legs and two rear legs configured to support thechair in an upright position, the front legs pivotally attached torespective rear legs, a chair portion, including a back rest, a seat anda leg rest pivotally attached to the seat, two pivot frames pivotallyattached to respective handle frames, the back rest and the rear legs,two arm rests, and two sliders pivotally attached to respective pivotframes, the back rest, respective arm rests, and the seat and configuredto slide along the respective front legs, the method comprising:releasing the lock mechanism; pivoting a top portion of the handleframes toward a front of the chair; pivoting the handle frames towardthe front of the chair; sliding the sliders downward along the leg;pivoting the rear legs toward the front legs; pivoting the backresttoward the front of the chair and the leg rests toward a rear of thechair; wherein the handle frames, the slider, the front and rear legs,the backrest and the leg rest become substantially parallel in theirlength directions.
 20. The method of folding a chair according to claim19, wherein the releasing the lock mechanism includes rotating a buttoncover located on one of the two handle frames to access a lock releasebutton; and pressing the lock release button attached to a locking rodlocated within the first handle frame such that a folding prevention pinattached to the locking rod is removed from a housing member attached tothe slider.